Oct. 27, 2006
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Despite windy and rainy conditions, Mandy Nolin scored her first career hat-trick and Laura Tucker added a goal and an assist to send the 2006 senior class out on a winning note as the Owls blanked Tennessee Tech, 7-0, on Friday night at the KSU Soccer Complex.
The Owls, who will be the No. 1 seed in next weekend's Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, close the regular season with a 13-1-2 record and on a 14-match unbeaten streak. The Golden Eagles end their season with a mark of 2-14-3.
"The girls played quite well tonight," said head coach Rob King. "I was pleased to see us end our regular season and send our seniors out with a win."
Nolin got the scoring started in the 21st minute when she gathered a pass from Sara Clapham and fired it past TTU goalkeeper Loretta McNamee. Despite out-shooting the Golden Eagles 7-3 in the first 45 minutes of play, the Owls went into halftime with just the one-goal advantage.
The second half, however, was a completely different story. The Owls wasted no time adding to their lead when Nolin notched the second of her three goals just 19 seconds into the half when she accepted a pass from Caitlin Dingle and in turn went one-on-one with McNamee. After a step-over move, Nolin fired to the lower left again to put KSU up 2-0.
Then just 32 second later, it was Tucker's time to shine as she netted her team and league-leading 11th goal of the year off a set piece just outside the box. After Clapham gently tapped the ball to her right, the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native fired a one-timer to the upper right corner.
After a Pip Meo goal in the 49th minute, Nolin scored her final goal after a beautiful give-and-go with Tucker just inside the box. Rebecca Hall would add her fifth goal of the year off a Caitlin Jadlocki cross and Sarah Marek would post her second goal of the season to send the Owls home with their eighth straight victory.
Although tested very little, Owls goalkeeper Staci Pugh made three saves to record her 12th shutout of the year. McNamee made five saves in the losing effort for Tennessee Tech.
The Owls will have one week off as they prepare to host the conference tournament at the KSU Soccer Complex. The Owls will return to the field on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the winner of Thursday night's ETSU/Jacksonville match-up.
